Jason Kenney to Take Over as Defense Minister

OTTAWA—Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday named new foreign and defense ministers as part of a cabinet shuffle to deal with the surprise departure last week of former chief diplomat John Baird.

Rob Nicholson is moving from defense to become foreign minister, Mr. Harper said in a statement. Meanwhile, Jason Kenney—who had been employment minister and is an influential voice in the Harper administration due to his ability to help win over the immigrant vote for the Tories—will take over as defense minister.